Binging buffer-free

Dear PropellerHeads: It seems like every time I want to binge-watch Netflix at home I'm watching the app buffer more than the actual show. Can you help?

A: I always get frustrated whenever I'm watching the status bar fill rather than getting my Brony on with the latest My Little Pony episode (it's a thing, don't judge me... whatisabrony.com). What it sounds like to me is that you're having some speed issues with your home network. This can be caused by a myriad of things, so I'll try and address some of the basics to help you out.

First, you're going to want to make sure that you have reasonably recent hardware. If your Internet connection still involves something that sounds like this (youtu.be/gsNaR6FRuO0), then it's time for an upgrade. First, contact whomever your current ISP is and ask them if there's a more recent version of the modem that you're using. Many times people get one when they first sign up for service, but only upgrade that equipment when the original modem dies. If you want to avoid the monthly modem rental fees, eBay it! Most reputable sellers will list the ISP providers their hardware is compatible with.

Most people are running a wireless network in their homes, so you should also examine your wireless router situation. In-home routers can be had for as little as $5 or even free after rebate if you know where to look. It may not be the most recent models, but year-old technology is an upgrade for many folks and will provide a little juice to your network performance. One of our favorite sites for finding a deal on this type of thing is slickdeals.net. They have a large base of deal contributors, some helpful forums for questions, and post a lot of tech-centric deals. If you register (it's free) you can even set up deal alerts that will email you when a router deal is posted.

You'll want one that is rated at least 802.11 b/g/n standard, or if you want to splurge go for one that is 802.11ac. Most current routers operate on both 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequencies, that help avoid interference from microwaves and cordless phones (you don't really still have one of those, do you?). I said most, so you should definitely check before you buy.

Once you've gotten your hardware in-house, it's time to physically set them up. It's common for people to set up their modem and router in a home office. Given the trend towards Internet-enabled devices in all rooms and the use of laptops/tablets over desktops, that may not be the best option for you.

Ideally, you're going to want to find a room that's central to your house, and perhaps one that will require the most Internet use. Find a place in that room where it has limited obstructions, and is somewhat elevated (5'-6' off the ground is great). Try not to place your router directly next to appliances or other substantial items in your house as the signal will have to "bounce" around them.

Once you've gotten your hardware taken care of, you need to make sure your software is up-to-date as well. You'll need to check the user guide for your router, but there is going to be an administrator portal of some sort that you can access that will allow you to configure exactly how your network is set up. The first thing you want to do is to make sure your firmware is up-to-date. Most admin portals will have a simple button to click and check.

Once that's taken care of, you should consider password-protecting your network. Not just for safety, but also to limit the use of your network by neighbors who might sap your bandwidth. WPA2 is currently the best method out there for those who like a simple password. Make sure the password is something that you can remember, but others won't guess easily (for some tips, check out ubm.io/1KVUnKP).

Some higher-end routers have other options that are more advanced, that could also help you streamline your network through Quality of Service (QoS) configuration. With that, you can assign priority by the type of network activity, the devices that are on the network, or even specific sites if you'd like. For dual-band routers that allow multiple networks, consider creating one dedicated to one of your heaviest bandwidth devices and a few others, then a separate network for other devices.

Playing around with these settings can ensure your upcoming Pretty Little Liars marathon will be more focused on finding out who "A" is and less on calling your Roku some nasty names that start with "A."

When the PropellerHeads at Data Directions aren't busy with their IT projects, they love to answer questions on business or consumer technology. Email them to questions@askthepropellerheads.com or contact us at Data Directions Inc., 8510 Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23116. Visit our website at www.askthepropellerheads.com.